Enantiospecific assay for mammalian carbonyl reductase by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A fluorogenic substrate with an unsymmetrical carbonyl for the sensitive assay of mammalian carbonyl reductase activities, 4-(6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolyl)acetophenone (I), has been prepared. The fluorescence quantum yield of I in acetonitrile is 0.12 at the emission maximum of 448 nm. The corresponding racemic alcohol produced by the chemical reduction of I, (+/-)-sec.-[4-(6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolyl)]phenethyl alcohol (II), exhibits ca. three- to fourteen-fold higher fluorescence at a shorter wavelength emission maximum of 370 nm in conventional solvents. Each enantiomer of II is sufficiently resolved on a chiral cellulose high-performance liquid chromatographic column without derivatization and quantified with high reproducibility. The detection limit for II is 20 fmol per injection at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The validity and applicability of I are evaluated with cytosols of mammalian tissues. The optimal pH for metabolic reduction of I in rabbit liver cytosol preparations is 6.2 in the presence of NADPH. The metabolism is proved to be highly stereoselective. The resulting alcohol produced by mammalian tissue preparations, except rabbit kidney, is predominantly of the S-(-)-configuration.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of loxoprofen and its diastereomeric alcohol metabolites in biological fluids by fluorescence labelling with 4-bromomethyl-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure to determine loxoprofen and its diastereomeric alcohol metabolites in biological specimens is described. The analysis involves liquid-liquid extraction with benzene, pre-column derivatization with a highly fluorogenic reagent, 4-bromomethyl-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin (BrMDC) and subsequent separation on a reversed-phase column. Loxoprofen, its pharmacologically active metabolite, trans-alcohol, and less active cis-alcohol were completely separated within 20 min with a mobile phase of 55% of aqueous acetonitrile containing acetic acid. Any endogenous substances do not interfere in the analysis of either plasma or urine samples. The quantitation limit was 0.01 micrograms/ml for human plasma and 0.05 micrograms/ml for urine. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in healthy human subjects who had received 60 mg of loxoprofen sodium.

Stereospecificity of enzymatic hydrogen transfer to loxoprofen, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, in the rat

The in vitro metabolic reduction of loxoprofen in rat liver cytosolic fractions was investigated using a capillary gas-chromatography and electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The formation rates of the corresponding trans- and cis-alcohol metabolites in the presence of non-labeled NADH were 3.5-fold higher than those of 4-(R)-[4-deuterated]-NADH as a cofactor. The representative mass fragment ion (m/z 319) derived from the trimethylsilyl derivatives of the latter alcohol products exhibited the ascending shift, suggesting the pro-4R hydrogen of NADH was transferred to loxoprofen. On the other hand, such significant differences in the metabolic activities and mass fragment grams were not observed whenever non-labeled NADPH or 4-(S)-[deuterated]-NADPH were employed.

Identification of a major GTP-binding protein in bovine aortic smooth muscle cytosol as the rhoA gene product

In bovine aortic smooth muscle, about 50% of total GTP-binding activity was present in the cytosol fraction. A major GTP-binding protein (G protein) with a Mr value of about 21,000 (21K G) in this fraction was purified to near homogeneity and characterized. 21K G bound maximally about 0.8 mol of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate/mol of protein with a Kd value of about 20 nM. 21K G showed GTPase activity with a turnover number of about 0.007 min-1. 21K G was ADP-ribosylated by botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase and about 0.4 mol of ADP-ribose was maximally incorporated into 1 mol of 21K G. 21K G and the bovine brain rhoA gene product (rhoA p21) were eluted at the same retention time on C4 reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and migrated at the same positions on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These results indicate that the major G protein in bovine aortic smooth muscle cytosol is rhoA p21.

Serotonin plays a major role in serum-induced phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Whole blood serum (WBS) rapidly induced the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and subsequently stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Ketanserin, a serotonin (S2) receptor antagonist, markedly inhibited the WBS-induced phospholipase C reaction and DNA synthesis. Serotonin by itself had a weak mitogenic activity for VSMCs, but this vasoconstrictor markedly stimulated the platelet-derived growth factor- and epidermal growth factor-induced DNA synthesis. The stimulatory effect of serotonin on the growth factor-induced DNA synthesis was inhibited by ketanserin. The amount of serotonin contained in WBS was sufficient to induce the phospholipase C reaction and stimulate the growth factor-induced DNA synthesis. These results indicate that serotonin plays a major role in the WBS-induced phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and DNA synthesis in rabbit VSMCs and suggest that serotonin may act as an important growth regulator for VSMCs in addition to acting as a vasoconstrictor.

Studies on penem and carbapenem. I. Syntheses and oral absorption of ester-type prodrugs of sodium (5R,6S)-2-(2-fluoroethylthio)-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]penem-3-c arboxylat e

Acyloxyalkyl esters (2a-d), alkyloxycarbonyloxyalkyl esters (2e-g) and (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl ester (2h) of (5R,6S)-2-(2-fluoroethylthio)-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]penem-3- carboxylic acid (1) were synthesized. Enhanced oral absorption was observed in mice reflecting increased lipophilicity, compared with the parent 1 itself. Among them, the ester 2h showed a prolonged plasma level and a large area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) in rats. These ester-type prodrugs of penem 1 in phosphate buffer (pH 6.86) were much more stable than those of cephalosporins which easily degraded via isomerization to delta 2 cephalosporins.

Stimulation of platelet-derived growth factor-induced DNA synthesis by angiotensin II in rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells

In cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), angiotensin II by itself had little mitogenic effect even in the presence of cell-free plasma-derived serum (PDS), but markedly stimulated the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced DNA synthesis in the presence of PDS. The maximal extent of DNA synthesis induced by PDGF plus angiotensin II was about twice that induced by PDGF alone. The stimulatory effect of angiotensin II was dose-dependent with the maximal response seen at 1 microM and was inhibited by the specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist, [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II. In VSMCs, both PDGF and angiotensin II induced expression of the c-fos gene in dose-dependent manners. In contrast to the synergistic effect of angiotensin II and PDGF on DNA synthesis, they induced expression of the c-fos gene in an additive manner. These results suggest that angiotensin II may act as a growth regulator for VSMCs in addition to acting as a vasoconstrictor.

[Two cases of primary artery dissection]

We experienced two cases of primary coronary artery dissection. (Case 1) 55-year-old man had frequent episodes of chest oppression at early morning and midnight. During chest oppression, electrocardiogram showed transient ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and a VF. Then, he was diagnosed as having angina pectoris. This diagnosis was based on the fact that he presented coronary spastic syndrome. Right coronary angiogram demonstrated an intimal flap and false lumen at segment 3, and primary coronary dissection was confirmed. (Case 2) A 27-year-old woman complained of back pain while taking a bath. Electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation and abnormal Q in leads V2, V3 and V4. She was diagnosed as having acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. Presence of coronary artery dissection at segment 6 was identified by left coronary angiogram. Primary coronary artery dissection is clinically diagnosed by coronary angiogram very rarely. Only 27 such cases have been reported. It was speculated that, in case 1, vasospastic angina may be associated with primary coronary artery dissection. Case 2 had primary coronary artery dissection at segment 6 of the left anterior descending artery. Thus, her clinical picture was similar to those of previously reported cases.

Mass analysis of 1,2-diacylglycerol in cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells. Comparison of stimulation by angiotensin II and endothelin

We compared the effects of angiotensin II and endothelin on mass levels of 1,2-diacylglycerol, and endogenous activator of protein kinase C, in cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells with the effects of these vasoconstrictors on contractile responses of rabbit aortic strips. At a high concentration (1 microM), both angiotensin II and endothelin induced a biphasic formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol with an early transient phase and a late sustained phase. At this high concentration, angiotensin II caused a transient contraction followed by a gradual relaxation, whereas endothelin caused a slowly developing and sustained contraction. At a low concentration (EC50 for the early phase of 1,2-diacylglycerol formation), angiotensin II also induced a biphasic formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol and caused a transient contraction, but endothelin induced a monophasic formation of 1,2-diacyglycerol with only an early peak. Despite a rapid decrease of 1,2-diacylglycerol, endothelin at this low concentration still caused a sustained contraction. At both the high and low concentrations, the 1,2-diacylglycerol level was sustained higher for angiotensin II, whereas the tension during the late tonic phase of contraction was greater for endothelin. These results suggest that the unique persistent nature of endothelin-induced contraction is not attributed simply to the stimulatory effect of this peptide on the 1,2-diacylglycerol/protein kinase C pathway.

Antiproliferative action of cyclic GMP-elevating vasodilators in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

In cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (10(-7) to 10(-4) M), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (10(-6) to 10(-3) M) inhibited the whole blood serum (WBS)-induced DNA synthesis by about 30%. The doses of SNP and ANP necessary for the inhibition of the WBS-induced DNA synthesis were similar to those necessary for the formation of cellular cyclic GMP (cGMP). These agents were effective even when added 6 h after stimulation of the cells with WBS. These results suggest that cGMP inhibits the proliferation of rabbit aortic SMCs by inhibiting the progression from the G1 into S phase of the cell cycle and raise the possibility that cGMP-elevating vasodilators may suppress the atherogenic process by inhibiting vascular SMC proliferation.

[Clinical application of tetracycline-containing strips (LSD) in periodontal disease]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of strips containing 10% Tetracycline (TC) in periodontal disease. In this double blind study, placebo strips, which did not contain TC, were also prepared. Ninety-two sites in 46 cases with greater than a 4 mm periodontal pocket were randomly assigned to experimental and control study groups. The following clinical parameters at each site were recorded at Weeks 0, 1, 2 and 3 after insertion of the LSD or placebo strip: plaque and calculus score, probing depth, gingival inflammation (redness, swelling, bleeding on probing, pus discharge), mobility of the tooth, pain on insertion of strip and pain after the procedure. The residual quantity of TC in the periodontal pocket was also determined at 1, 2 and 7 days after inserting the LSD. All clinical data was evaluated using 3 types of statistical test (X2 test, Mann-Whitney's U test and Wilcoxon's test). Thus, the following results were obtained: 1. The LSD group showed much improvement in clinical condition compared with the placebo group. 2. The conditions of bleeding, redness or swelling of gingival tissue were much improved in the LSD group, even after data evaluation with all 3 types of statistical test. 3. The residual quantity of TC was decreased day by day until finally it was not recognized in the 7 day samples. 4. This study suggested that the application of LSD in the periodontal pocket could be effective in periodontal treatment.

Determination of a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (CS-622) and its active metabolite in plasma and urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using negative ion chemical ionization

A sensitive and specific gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (I, CS-622) and its active desethyl metabolite (II, RS-5139) in plasma and urine was developed. Compound D5-RS-5139 was used as an internal standard and measurements were made by electron-capture negative ion chemical ionization. Extraction from plasma and urine was carried out using Sep-Pak C18 and silica cartridges. The extract of plasma or urine was treated with diazomethane followed by trifluoroacetic anhydride to convert I and II into their methyl ester trifluoroacetyl derivatives. The detection limit of I and II was 0.5 ng/ml in plasma and 5 ng/ml in urine. The proposed method was satisfactory for the determination of I and II in plasma and urine with respect to accuracy and precision. Thus it is suitable for measurement of bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of I and II in body fluids.

Identification of a major GTP-binding protein in bovine aortic smooth muscle membranes as smg p21, a GTP-binding protein having the same effector domain as ras p21s

At least two GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) with Mr values of about 20,000 were extracted from bovine aortic smooth muscle membranes by sodium cholate. The most abundant G protein (22K G) was purified to near homogeneity by successive column chromatographies of Ultrogel AcA-44, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, hydroxyapatite and Mono Q HR5/5. 22K G showed kinetic and physical properties very similar to those of smg p21, a G protein recently isolated from bovine brain and human platelet membranes, having the same effector domain as ras p21s. Moreover, 22K G was recognized specifically by the anti-smg p21 antibody. These results indicate that the major G protein in bovine aortic smooth muscle membranes is smg p21.

Elevated pulmonary arterial pressure in pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis

Pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) is characterized by proliferation of smooth muscles around lymphatics and bronchovascular bundles, presenting clinical manifestations of obstructive or restrictive lung disease with greatly impaired gas exchange. To date, little attention has been paid in the literature to the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension related to this disorder. A case of a 39-year-old woman with the characteristic clinical and histological features of pulmonary LAM is presented. She was found to have moderate pulmonary hypertension. Possible mechanisms for the development of pulmonary hypertension are discussed.

Two types of protein kinase C with different functions in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

Incubation of cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) with phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) for 48 h caused the down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) to the level of 30-40% of that in the control cells. The proliferative and antiproliferative actions of PKC were abolished in parallel with the loss of the down-regulation-sensitive component of PKC, but the inhibitory actions in the whole blood serum (WBS)-induced phospholipase C (PLC) reactions and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization were not affected. Immunoblot analysis with specific monoclonal antibodies against three PKC isozymes (type I, II and III) revealed that only the type III isozyme was detected in rabbit aortic SMC and that this isozyme completely disappeared after the incubation with PDBu. These results indicate that the type III isozyme is responsible for the proliferative and antiproliferative actions and suggest that the unidentified isozyme(s) is involved in the inhibitory actions in the WBS-induced PLC reactions and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in rabbit aortic SMC.

[A case of esophageal rupture confirmed by chest CT: characteristic changes in chest radiographs]

A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain and dyspnea which occurred suddenly after vomiting. She was well until admission except for cholelithiasis and hypertension which had been pointed out 3 years earlier. Arterial blood gas analysis showed hypoxemia without hypercapnea. Chest X-ray examination on admission revealed intra-mediastinal air with a niveau behind the heart which compressed the vasculature of the left lower lobe and a small amount of air in the regions adjacent to the trachea, left main bronchus and aortic arch. The serial chest radiographs showed pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and pleural effusion in that order within 16 hours after the onset. The diagnosis of esophageal rupture was made by CT scan of the chest performed after oral administration of Gastrografin, which demonstrated extravasation of contrast medium into the mediastinum. Surgical treatment including eversion stripping and esophagogastrostomy was performed 23 hours after the onset. Pathological examination of the removed specimens revealed a rupture of the lower portion of the esophagus originated in the gastric ulcer of the cardia. In spite of intensive care, she died 45 days after surgery because of renal failure. It was considered that the most important point in the early diagnosis of esophageal rupture was to suspect this disease based on the gastric symptoms followed by the respiratory symptoms and to demonstrate pneumomediastinum in chest X-ray. Chest CT scan performed after the oral administration of contrast medium could be an useful and non-invasive diagnostic procedure.

A clinicopathologic study of the accessory bypass tracts in six cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

A clinical and histologic correlation study was conducted to examine the accessory bypass tracts in 6 cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. (1) Types A, B (Rosenbaum) and C (Ueda) were found in 2 cases each. From the polarity of the delta waves, the site of the bypass tract was assumed to be in the left posterior and left lateral free wall in type A, the right lateral and right posterior paraseptal regions in type B and in the right posterior paraseptal and right anterior paraseptal areas in type C. (2) In 6 cases 19 bypass tracts were found, consisting of 18 Kent bundles and 1 Mahaim fiber, from a total of 146,400 serial sections. The site of the bypass tract was the left lateral and left posterior walls in 2 type A cases, and the right lateral and right posterior walls in 2 type B cases, with good correspondence to our assumption. In both type C cases it was biventricular, composed of left posterior paraseptal and right lateral regions with an additional Mahaim fiber in 1 case. (3) A total of 46 cases of WPW syndrome were collected from the literature and the present paper; they consisted of 16 cases of type A, 20 of type B, 4 of type A + B and 6 of type C. Seventy % of type A cases showed a bypass tract in the left heart, and 64% of type B in the right heart. In 6 cases of type C, the bypass tract was found in various sites and in various combinations, requiring further investigation.

[Acute and chronic effects of bunazosin in patients with congestive heart failure]

The acute hemodynamic effect (right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, heart rate, blood pressure) and neurohumoral response (alpha-ANP, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, angiotensin II) of Bunazosin, oral alpha 1 blocker, was investigated in 28 patients with congestive heart failure at rest and immediately after exercise. Bunazosin reduced alpha-ANP, but, other neurohumoral factors did not change. Bunazosin produced significant hemodynamic improvements both at rest and after exercise. Its chronic effect was also investigated in 11 patients in 28 days after taking oral Bunazosin. Improvement of hemodynamics at acute phase was also preserved at chronic phase without deterioration of neurohumoral factors. It is concluded that Bunazosin may be an effective Balanced vasodilator both at acute and chronic phases in patients with congestive heart failure.

Endothelin-induced biphasic formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol in cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells--mass analysis with a radioenzymatic assay

Mass analysis of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG) with a radioenzymatic assay revealed that endothelin induced a biphasic formation of DG with an early transient phase peaking at 30 sec and a late sustained phase peaking at 5 min in cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The amounts of DG after the 30-sec and 5-min incubation with endothelin were 0.74 +/- 0.08 (mean +/- SE) nmol and 0.87 +/- 0.10 nmol/100 nmol of lipid phosphorus, representing 2.6- and 3.1-fold increases of the resting level, respectively. The EC50 values of endothelin for the early and late phases of DG formation were about 1 nM and 40 nM, respectively. In the [3H] inositol-labeled VSMCs, endothelin induced a rapid transient formation of inositol tris- and bisphosphates which peaked at 30 sec and a sustained formation of inositol monophosphate which peaked at 5 min. The EC50 values for the formation of these inositol phosphates were the same and about 1 nM. These results suggest that the early transient phase of DG is derived from the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides, while a large part of the late sustained phase of DG is from the reaction(s) other than the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides but its sources remain to be clarified.

Cardiomyopathy characterized by abnormal accumulation of desmin-type intermediate filaments in cardiac muscle fibers. A case report and review of the literature

A 42-year-old Japanese male, who had been suffering from congestive heart failure and electrocardiographic abnormalities (A-V block, intraventricular conduction disturbance, ventricular tachycardia), died after a clinical course of 2 years and 1 month. Macroscopic investigation revealed dilation of the left ventricle and thickening of the right ventricular wall. The unique finding in this case was a circumferential fibrous scar in the median circular layer and outer oblique layer of the left ventricular wall. Biopsy and autopsy materials revealed diffuse loss of myofibrils in the central zone of cardiac muscle fibers, and replacement with aniline blue-positive homogeneous material (17-35% of the area of one muscle fiber). Electron microscopy revealed abnormal accumulation of fine filamentous material (7.5-25 nm in diameter), which was immunohistochemically proved to be desmin-type intermediate filament. Moreover, sarcoplasmic reticulum-like material was detected in the degenerated area. At autopsy, degeneration was detected all over the heart. The ventricular muscle fibers were more severely affected than the atrial muscle fibers. The conduction system was also affected, in some parts more severely than the surrounding ordinary muscle fibers. The pathogenesis of this disorder remains to be clarified.

Stimulation of phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides by endothelin in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

Incubation of the [3H] inositol-labeled cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with either endothelin or angiotensin II caused a rapid formation of inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphates (IP1, IP2 and IP3, respectively). Time courses of the endothelin- and angiotensin II-induced formation of these inositol phosphates were similar. The maximal levels of IP1, IP2 and IP3 formation induced by endothelin were about 50%, 25% and 40%, respectively, of those induced by angiotensin II. The doses of endothelin necessary for the half maximal and maximal extents of the formation of IP1 were about 1 nM and 100 nM, respectively. Protein kinase C-activating 12-Q-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibited the endothelin-induced formation of IP1 with the half maximal extent of inhibition seen at 3 nM. The inhibitory action of TPA was mimicked by another protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, but not by 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, known to be inactive for this enzyme. These results indicate that endothelin causes the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, though to a lesser extent than angiotensin II, in cultured VSMCs and suggest that protein kinase C modulates the signaling mechanism of endothelin to the phospholipase C.

[A marked Hegglin syndrome in pheochromocytoma]

A 46-year-old man was hospitalized with paroxysmal headache and chest discomfort. His blood pressure varied, occasionally being up to 300/160 mmHg. Cardiac examination revealed a decrescendo type of diastolic murmur (aortic regurgitation) and S4 gallop. Both blood and urine catecholamine levels were extremely high. Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram showed severe left ventricular hypertrophy pattern presenting hypertrophic cardiomyopathic changes. The phonocardiogram showed marked Hegglin syndrome (QT; 450 msec and QII; 310 msec). Right adrenal tumor, pheochromocytoma was found on the abdominal CT scanning and 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). In the post-operative period, Hegglin syndrome was completely abolished (QT; 360 msec and QII; 345 msec,), and also electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy pattern improved immediately after surgical removal of the pheochromocytoma.

Adult pigment type (Peiffer) of sudanophilic leukodystrophy. Pathological and morphometrical studies on two autopsy cases of siblings

Two autopsy cases of siblings with the adult pigment (Peiffer) type of sudanophilic leukodystrophy (SLD), which demonstrated the full-blown stage (case 1) and early stage (case 2) of demyelination, were examined. Numerous brown pigments deposited in demyelinated cerebral areas were characterized histochemically and ultrastructurally as lipofuscin and ceroid. Under the electron microscope formation of blebs due to myelin splitting associated with deposition of multilamellar myeloid bodies within them was a prominent feature in the demyelinated cerebral areas of case 2 as compared with case 1. However, various features of myelin degradation such as thinning, partial or complete circumferential myelin loss, and deposition of electron-dense material on the interperiodic lines were found in both cases. Blebs occurred in all layers of myelin, and axons were compressed by these blebs or the hydropically swollen inner lips of oligodendroglias. Oligodendroglias were relatively well preserved in the demyelinated and nondemyelinated areas in case 2, although the cytoplasm was hydropic. Many spheroids were present in demyelinated areas and were irregularly distributed in both cases. The peripheral nerves in case 1 presented essentially the same changes as those in the brain, although those in case 2 were not affected. Morphometrically, the results showed that hypomyelination was not the mechanism for this pigment type of SLD. One possible cause may be an accelerated ageing of the metabolic process of myelin turnover.

Adult-type citrullinemia

An autopsy case of adult-type citrullinemia in a 42-year-old male is reported. The patient neuropathologically presented mixed cerebral changes consisting of the pseudoulegyric and ischemic types of hepatocerebral disease. In common with previously reported cases of the pseudoulegyric type, the nature and localization of the cerebral changes in this case were characteristic, in that neuronal loss occurred most severely and symmetrically in the mediobasal part of the frontal and occipital lobes, gyrus cinguli, claustrum, insula and temporal lobe, and that the watershed area of the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and Purkinje cells were only slightly affected. The importance of hypercitrullinemia was stressed in the pathogenesis of the cerebral changes evident in adult-type citrullinemia.

Molecular mechanism of action by atrial natriuretic peptide in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

The mechanism by which atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) acts on cells remains obscure. Using cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from rat aorta, we studied the structure-activity relationship of alpha-human(h) ANP and attempted to clarify its cellular mechanism of action. Binding studies using a variety of synthetic alpha-hANP analogs with deletion and substitution of amino-acid residue(s) within the ring structure and deamino-dicarba analogs with replacement of the disulfide bond with an ethylene linkage, suggested that the original cyclic structure is a minimum requirement for biological activity and the disulfide bond is not essential for receptor binding. The present study using VSMC loaded with a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin-2 revealed that alpha-rat(r) ANP has no effect on increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration stimulated by angiotensin (A) II or arginine-vasopressin (AVP). While both vasoconstrictive hormones rapidly stimulated phosphatidylinositol (PI) response in VSMC, pretreatment with rANP did not affect AII- or AVP-induced PI response. However, AII-stimulated phosphorylation level of 20 K-dalton (Da) myosin light chain (MLC), a regulatory contractile protein of VSMC, was attenuated by pretreatment with rANP. These data suggest that ANP may not act at site of either agonist-induced membrane PI hydrolysis or intracellular Ca2+-signal system, but may partly be involved in phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of 20 K-Da MLC in cultured rat VSMC.

[Clinical significance of electrocardiographic P-terminal force in V1 in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]

The clinical usefulness of P-terminal force in lead V1 (P-TF) was evaluated in 49 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These 49 patients were categorized as 17 with an abnormal P-wave (P-TF greater than or equal to 3.0 msec.mV: group A) and 32 with a normal P-wave (P-TF less than 3.0 msec.mV: group B). Systolic blood pressure response (delta SBP) during the treadmill exercise test was significantly less in the group A than in the group B (delta SBP: 36 +/- 22 mmHg, 58 +/- 26 mmHg, respectively). Left atrial dimension measured from the M-mode echocardiogram was 37.8 +/- 5.0 mm in the group A and 31.0 +/- 5.2 mm in the group B. These differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure averaged 19.5 +/- 7.9 mmHg in the group A and 13.5 +/- 4.0 mmHg in the group B (p less than 0.05). When comparing the group A and B, negative dp/dt / positive dp/dt of the group A was significantly less (0.69 +/- 0.14, 0.90 +/- 0.18, respectively) and the time constant T of the group A was significantly prolonged (86 +/- 30 msec, 56 +/- 10 msec, respectively). According to classifications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, all patients with the obstructive type had an abnormal P-wave. On the contrary, the majority of patients with apical hypertrophy had a normal P-wave.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Independent inhibition of DNA synthesis by protein kinase C, cyclic AMP and interferon alpha/beta in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

In quiescent cultures of rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells, whole blood serum-induced DNA synthesis was inhibited markedly by protein kinase C-activating 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu), cyclic AMP-derivatives, such as dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, and interferon alpha/beta. Neither TPA nor interferon alpha/beta elevated the cellular cyclic AMP level. Neither Bt2cAMP nor interferon alpha/beta induced the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. The down-regulation of protein kinase C by prolonged treatment with PDBu abolished the antiproliferative action of TPA but did not affect that of Bt2cAMP or interferon alpha/beta. TPA and Bt2cAMP inhibited the serum-induced DNA synthesis when added within 12 h after the addition of the serum, while interferon alpha/beta was active only when added within 6 h. These results suggest that there are at least three independent signaling systems, protein kinase C- and cyclic AMP-mediated systems and an unidentified system for interferon alpha/beta, which are involved in the antiproliferative mechanisms in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides in vascular smooth muscle cells--different sensitivity of PDGF- and angiotensin II-induced phospholipase C reactions to protein kinase C-activating phorbol esters

In cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a potent mitogen for VSMC, induced the dose- and time-dependent formation of inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphates (IP1, IP2 and IP3, respectively). The doses of PDGF necessary for these reactions were similar to those for DNA synthesis. The maximal level of IP1 was comparable to, and those of IP2 and IP3 were about half of those induced by angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. However, the time courses of the PDGF-induced reactions were slower than those of the angiotensin II-induced ones. Moreover, protein kinase C-activating phorbol esters inhibited the angiotensin II-induced reactions, but did not the PDGF-induced ones. These results indicate that PDGF induces the phospholipase C reactions in VSMC but suggest that the signaling mechanism of PDGF to the phospholipase C is different from that of angiotensin II.

Stimulation of phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides by adenosine 5'-triphosphate via P2-purinoceptors in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

Incubation of [3H] inositol-labeled cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells with angiotensin II caused the dose- and time-dependent formation of inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphates. Under these conditions, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulated the formation of these inositol phosphates. The maximal reaction velocities obtained by ATP and angiotensin II were roughly the same. The doses of ATP giving half maximal and maximal reaction velocities were about 100 microM and 1 mM, respectively. This action of ATP was mimicked by other nucleotides such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP), but these nucleotides were far less effective than ATP. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine, guanosine diphosphate (GDP), guanosine monophosphate (GMP), deoxythymidine trisphosphate (dTTP), and cytosine triphosphate (CTP) were almost ineffective. The formation of inositol phosphates induced by ATP was inhibited partially by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. This toxin ADP-ribosylated a protein with a molecular mass of about 40,000. These results indicate that ATP induced the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides probably via P2-purinoceptors in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells, and suggest that a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein is involved at least partially in the coupling of this receptor to the phospholipase C in this cell type.

Identification of cDNA encoding an additional alpha subunit of a human GTP-binding protein: expression of three alpha i subtypes in human tissues and cell lines

The guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), which mediate hormonal regulation of many membrane functions, are composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. We have cloned and characterized cDNA from a human T-cell library encoding a form of alpha i that is different from the human alpha i subtypes previously reported [Didsbury, J. R., Ho, Y.-S. & Snyderman, R. (1987) FEBS Lett. 211, 160-164 and Bray, P., Carter, A., Guo, V., Puckett, C., Kamholz, J., Spiegel, A. & Nirenberg, M. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 5115-5119]. alpha i is the alpha subunit of a class of G proteins that inhibits adenylate cyclase and regulates other enzymes and ion channels. This cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 354 amino acids and is assigned to encode the alpha i-3 subtype of G proteins on the basis of its similarity to other alpha i-like cDNAs and the presence of a predicted site for ADP ribosylation by pertussis toxin. We have determined the expression of mRNA for this and two other subtypes of human alpha i (alpha i-1 and alpha i-2) in a variety of human fetal tissues and in human cell lines. All three alpha i subtypes were present in the tissues tested. However, analysis of individual cell types reveals specificity of alpha i-1 expression. mRNA for alpha i-1 is absent in T cells, B cells, and monocytes but is present in other cell lines. The finding of differential expression of alpha i-1 genes may permit characterization of distinct physiological roles for this alpha i subunit. mRNA for alpha i-2 and alpha i-3 was found in all the primary and transformed cell lines tested. Thus, some cells contain all three alpha i subtypes. This observation raises the question of how cells prevent cross talk among receptors that are coupled to effectors through such similar alpha proteins.

Angiotensin II induces expression of the c-fos gene through protein kinase C activation and calcium ion mobilization in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Incubation of the serum-deprived cultures of rat vascular smooth muscle cells with angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, caused a rapid and transient increase in the c-fos mRNA level. The doses of this agonist necessary for the increase in the c-fos mRNA level coincided with those for the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. Moreover, protein kinase C-activating 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and Ca2+-ionophore A23187 increased the c-fos mRNA level in an additive manner. These results suggest that angiotensin II induces expression of the c-fos gene through the activation of protein kinase C and Ca2+ mobilization in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Antimycobacterial activities in vitro and in vivo and pharmacokinetics of dihydromycoplanecin A

The in vitro activity of dihydromycoplanecin A (DHMP A), a new cyclic peptide antibiotic, was compared with those of antimycobacterial drugs such as streptomycin, isoniazid (INH), rifampin, and ofloxacin against several clinically isolated species of mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. intracellulare, and M. kansasii. DHMP A demonstrated stronger activities than other drugs against all species of mycobacteria tested at concentrations of less than 0.0125 to 25 microgram/ml. A marked synergism between DHMP A and INH was demonstrated by the checkerboard technique against M. tuberculosis, M. intracellulare, and M. smegmatis, and the synergistic effect was observed by treatment of the culture of M. smegmatis with DHMP A for at least 3 h prior to treatment with INH. It was also shown that both absorption and excretion of INH in mice were faster than those of DHMP A. On the basis of these results, combination therapy with DHMP A and INH was successfully carried out in experimental tuberculosis in mice infected with M. bovis Ravenel. After a single intravenous administration of 10 mg of DHMP A per kg, its half-life in serum in mice was about 0.5 h and in dogs it was 5.5 h. A single oral administration to dogs of 12.5 mg/kg gave a peak of 5.0 micrograms/ml at 3 h. In these experiments, urinary recoveries within 48 h were 21.0% in mice and 25.2% in dogs. The tissue distribution level of DHMP A in mice after oral administration was in the order of liver greater than kidney greater than serum greater than spleen = lung. The 50% lethal doses of DHMP A for mice were more than 6,000 mg/kg orally and 1,840 mg/kg intraperitoneally.

[Semi-quantitative method of N-isopropyl-(123I)-p-iodoamphetamine accumulation in cerebrum: cerebrum to cerebellum accumulation ratio]

Semi-quantitative method of N-isopropyl-(123I)-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) accumulation in cerebrum by using 123I-IMP SPECT was tried. Ratio of counts in whole cerebrum to those in normal cerebellum was calculated, and this accumulation is defined as cerebrum to cerebellum accumulation ratio. In group of patients with dementia or patients who were remaining in bed, significantly low accumulation ratio was observed, while in "normal" group, no differences in sex and aging were observed. Calculation of cerebrum to cerebellum accumulation ratio was concluded as a useful method of evaluating the accumulation of 123I-IMP in cerebrum.

Antiproliferative action of protein kinase C in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

In rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC), protein kinase C-activating 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) inhibited the whole blood serum (WBS)-induced DNA synthesis. The inhibitory action of TPA was mimicked by another protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), but not by 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13- didecanoate known to be inactive for this enzyme. Prolonged treatment of the cells with PDBu caused the down-regulation of protein kinase C. In these cells, WBS still induced DNA synthesis but the inhibitory action of TPA was abolished. DNA synthesis started at 18 h and reached a maximal level 24 h after the addition of WBS. TPA inhibited the WBS-induced DNA synthesis even when added 12 h after the addition of WBS. These results suggest that protein kinase C has an antiproliferative action in rabbit aortic SMC and that this action is attributed to the inhibition of the progression from the late G1 into S phase of the cell cycle. TPA also inhibited the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides which was induced by WBS within several minutes, but the relevance of this effect on the antiproliferative action of TPA is uncertain.

Inhibition of DNA synthesis by phorbol esters through protein kinase C in cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells

In cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced DNA synthesis in the presence of plasma-derived serum to a small extent, but inhibited markedly the rabbit whole blood serum (WBS)-, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)- and epidermal growth factor-induced DNA synthesis. Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) mimicked this antiproliferative action of TPA, but 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate was inactive in this capacity. Prolonged treatment of the cells with PDBu caused the partial down-regulation of protein kinase C. In these protein kinase C-reduced cells, WBS still induced DNA synthesis, but TPA did not inhibit the WBS-induced DNA synthesis. We have previously shown that protein kinase C is involved at least partially in the PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in rabbit aortic SMC. The present results together with this earlier observation suggest that protein kinase C has not only a proliferative but also an antiproliferative action in rabbit aortic SMC.

Possible involvement of protein kinase C in platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

In cultured rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), protein kinase C-activating phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) stimulated DNA synthesis in the presence of 10% cell-free plasma-derived serum. This stimulation was half that shown by PDGF. 4 alpha-Phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, known to be inactive for protein kinase C, was without effect in stimulating DNA synthesis. Prolonged treatment of the cells with PDBu led to a marked decrease in protein kinase C. In the pDBu-treated cells, the TPA-stimulated DNA synthesis was completely abolished whereas the PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis was decreased to about half that in the control cells. These results suggest that protein kinase C is involved in PDGF-stimulated proliferation of VSMC.

Development of a selective clean-up method using immobilized antibody and its application to HPLC and GC/MS determination of a carbacyclin derivative, CS-570, in plasma

Methods for the determination of CS-570, a chemically stable prostacyclin analogue, in plasma were developed by using an immobilized antibody column followed by fluorescence HPLC and GC/MS. The CS-570 antibody, obtained from rabbit plasma by giving CS-570-BSA for a few months, was coupled to Sepharose 4B and used as extraction phase for sample clean-up and extraction of the drug. A plasma sample was applied to this column, washed with water and the drug was eluted with 90% acetonitrile. 0.02% (w/v) 9-anthryldiazomethane (ADAM) was added to the extract to form a fluorescent derivative. The CS-570-ADAM adduct exhibited high sensitivity when applied to HPLC with fluorescence detection and column switching. The detection limit was 1 ng/mL when 1 mL of plasma was available. Additionally, a pentafluorobenzyltrimethylsilyl derivative of CS-570 showed excellent sensitivity when determined by capillary GC interfaced to negative ion chemical ionization MS using a stable isotope labelled analogue as an internal standard.

Acute idiopathic interstitial myocarditis: case report with special reference to morphological characteristics of giant cells

Necropsy findings of an acute fatal case of idiopathic interstitial myocarditis were reported. The patient was a 33 year old housewife who had acute cardiac failure on the sixteenth day after the onset of the disease. Necropsy showed important pathological changes confined to the heart. Both ventricles were affected by confluent granulomas with an ill defined patchy appearance. Histologically these lesions consisted of round cells, histiocytes, eosinophils and myogenic giant cells. The findings were compatible with those of interstitial myocarditis associated with a proliferation of giant cells. Both atriums were also affected to a minor extent, detectable only by histological examination. Electron microscopy and cytochemistry showed that most giant cells noted in the lesion showed myofibrils and primary lysosomes in the cytoplasm. Giant cells were positive for myoglobin. Though the macrophage origin of the giant cell in this disorder has been emphasised in a recent report, these cytological results suggest that giant cells observed in the cardiac granulomatous lesions of this case were mainly myogenic in origin.

Activation of protein kinase C by the action of 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2), a stable analogue of thromboxane A2, in human platelets

Incubation of human washed platelets with 9,11-epithio-11, 12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2), a stable analogue of thromboxane A2, caused the activation of protein kinase C and myosin light chain (MLC) kinase to the same extents as those induced by thrombin as judged by measuring the phosphorylation of a 40-kilodalton protein and MLC, respectively. However, STA2 stimulated much less phosphoinositide turnover than thrombin. Furthermore, the doses of STA2 necessary for protein kinase C activation and phosphoinositide turnover were higher than those necessary for MLC kinase activation, although the doses of thrombin necessary for these three reactions were nearly the same. These results suggest that protein kinase C may be activated at the Ca2+ concentrations higher than those required for MLC kinase activation by the action of STA2, presumably due to the inability of this agonist to produce diacylglycerol in an amount enough to increase the affinity of the enzyme for Ca2+.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of captopril in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of captopril were studied in 5 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients (including 2 hypertensive patients) after single oral administration of 50 mg captopril. The pharmacokinetic parameters for plasma free unchanged captopril were time to maximal concentration 1.1 +/- 0.3 h, maximal plasma concentration 387 +/- 75 ng X ml-1, elimination half-life 1.0 +/- 0.3 h, and the area under the concentration-time curve 711 +/- 144 ng X h X ml-1. For plasma total captopril (the sum of free unchanged captopril and its disulfide compounds) the values were time to maximal concentration 3.5 +/- 0.6 h and maximal plasma concentration 2,777 +/- 429 ng X ml-1. Captopril was detected in the dialysis fluid in all CAPD patients. Blood pressures in the 2 hypertensive CAPD patients were lower at 24 h after than before captopril administration. These results suggest that captopril may be eliminated by CAPD. In addition, there is a possibility that the antihypertensive effects of captopril may be prolonged in hypertensive CAPD patients.

Determination of immunoreactive antiarrhythmic peptide (AAP) in rats

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for antiarrhythmic peptide (AAP) has been developed, utilizing 3-(4-hydroxy, 5-[125I]iodophenyl)propionyl AAP and guinea pig anti-AAP serum. Synthetic AAP was used as a standard and the polyethylene glycol method was employed to separate free AAP from antibody-bound AAP. The minimum detectable dose of AAP was 0.2 pmol. In the assay system, immunoreactivity was shown not to be attributable to fragments derived from AAP, gelatin or collagen peptides, which sequences differ only by one amino acid from those of AAP. Immunoreactive (IR) AAP extracted from rat tissues and serum gave parallel dose-response curves to those of AAP. Thus, the AAP equivalents per g or ml of tissues measured in adult male rats were 203 pmol in heart, 166 pmol in kidney, 4 pmol in serum, and 2 to 6 pmol in the other tissues. IR-AAP was separated into two fractions by Sephadex G-25 chromatography. Fr. I was considered to have a larger molecular mass than AAP, while Fr. II appeared to have a molecular mass equal to AAP. Ratios of Fr. II in total IR-AAP were 50% in heart and 10% in kidney, while serum IR-AAP gave only Fr. II. The IR-AAP level in heart showed a positive correlation increase with age in rats.

Comparison of the modes of action of Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and thrombin in protein kinase C activation in human platelets

In human platelets, the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 stimulated the phosphorylation of a 40 kDa protein and myosin light chain (MLC) to the same extents as those induced by thrombin, but the doses of A23187 for 40 kDa protein phosphorylation were higher than those for MLC phosphorylation, although the doses of thrombin for both reactions were nearly the same. Moreover, A23187 produced much less diacylglycerol than thrombin. However, the sites of the 40 kDa protein phosphorylated by the action of A23187 and thrombin were identical, and the 40 kDa protein phosphorylation induced by A23187 and thrombin was inhibited by tetracaine, an inhibitor for protein kinase C. Neither A23187 nor thrombin induced the production of a catalytic fragment of protein kinase C which might be generated by limited proteolysis with Ca2+-dependent protease. These results indicate that A23187 induces protein kinase C activation which phosphorylates the 40 kDa protein, but higher doses of A23187 are required for the activation of this enzyme than for the activation of MLC kinase.

Induction of protein kinase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization by fibroblast growth factor in Swiss 3T3 cells

Addition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T3 cells rapidly induced diacylglycerol formation, protein kinase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization. Protein kinase C-activating agents such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) mimicked the action of FGF and stimulated DNA synthesis in the presence of insulin. Prolonged treatment of the cells with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) led to the down-regulation and complete disappearance of protein kinase C. In these cells, TPA and OAG did not induce DNA synthesis any more. FGF still elicited Ca2+ mobilization and DNA synthesis, but the magnitude of DNA synthesis was reduced to almost half as compared with that in the control cells. These results clearly indicate that both diacylglycerol and Ca2+ may serve as second messengers for FGF and suggest that these messengers may be involved in the mitogenic action of this growth factor.